1
as in sources
a point or place at which something is invented or provided
the origins of human language remain a matter of considerable debate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in roots
the source from which something grows or develops
the origin of the tradition of giving presents at Christmastime
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in lineages
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
they could trace their origins back 15 generations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of origins
This sporty version pays homage to the '80s and the sneaker’s soccer origins by adding a super-long foldover tongue.
—
Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026
Neither the Lincoln Club, Lincoln Media, the California Courier or the Courier writers responded to multiple requests for comment about the origins of the site, either through email phone, or social media messages.
—Colin Lecher, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
The work triangle has origins dating back to the 19th century, but in a space that now serves diverse purposes and is filled with technology and appliances that didn’t exist when it was created, is the kitchen work triangle still relevant?
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Take a look back at its origins, past musical acts and scenes at silent disco through this photo gallery.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
Design details throughout the rental reflect its origins, including a floating stone corner fireplace and retro tiling—you’ll find plenty of color palette inspiration.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
But Yahr knows the 14-time Grammy winner’s origins are more complex than a teen tapping into a new generation of country music fans.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
The origins of the first Ivorian civil war can be traced back to the death of Felix Houphouet-Boigny in 1993.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Here's what to know ahead of Presidents Day this year, including the date, its origins and which businesses will be open or closed.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026
Neither the Lincoln Club, Lincoln Media, the California Courier or the Courier writers responded to multiple requests for comment about the origins of the site, either through email phone, or social media messages.
—Colin Lecher, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
The work triangle has origins dating back to the 19th century, but in a space that now serves diverse purposes and is filled with technology and appliances that didn’t exist when it was created, is the kitchen work triangle still relevant?
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Take a look back at its origins, past musical acts and scenes at silent disco through this photo gallery.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
Design details throughout the rental reflect its origins, including a floating stone corner fireplace and retro tiling—you’ll find plenty of color palette inspiration.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
But Yahr knows the 14-time Grammy winner’s origins are more complex than a teen tapping into a new generation of country music fans.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
The origins of the first Ivorian civil war can be traced back to the death of Felix Houphouet-Boigny in 1993.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Here's what to know ahead of Presidents Day this year, including the date, its origins and which businesses will be open or closed.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for origins
Noun
-
That said, many of the gains players made here won’t dramatically affect their bottom lines, and the reality is that most players on ECHL deals will still need those second jobs and other sources of income to continue to chase their dream of making it to the next level.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
But sources with knowledge of the business tell PEOPLE that the interpretation misses critical context — and that the data instead points to a brand experiencing strong demand and preparing for international expansion.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
No one could trace the secret roots of Skinny Pedro’s devotion to the world of machines.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Leaving stems and leaves intact through winter provides extra insulation to plant roots and crowns and protects plants from cold damage.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The lineages appear to have co-existed in the region for a time.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Dec. 2025
-
Support staff who can speak confidently about lineages.—
Sara Payan,
Rolling Stone,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Married couples shared a bed, and one of their younger children might sleep with them, though infants had cradles.—
Bobbi Sutherland,
The Conversation,
19 Dec. 2025
-
In the photos, Travis can be seen down on one knee as Swift cradles his face in the sweet moment.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Both stories have been condensed to their main scenes and songs but still contain full stories with beginnings, middles and ends.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2026
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What numerology 2026 means for your life The destiny number 1 stands for new beginnings, personal responsibility, and courageous initiative.—
Hannah Madlener,
Glamour,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But many Chicanos trace their lineage to indigenous peoples who survived Spanish colonization, often carrying mixed indigenous, Spanish, and other ancestries, a testament to survival and cultural fusion.—
David Alvarado,
Time,
15 Dec. 2025
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This lack of representation is problematic for people of different ancestries because genetic risk factors differ across populations.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Jalen Hurts have outstanding pedigrees and produced in Super Bowls yet still have their detractors nationwide and within the fan base.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Last year, all five nominees boasted international pedigrees.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The seal texts often introduced the owners with their names, genealogies, gender, professions and hometowns.—
Serdar Yalçin,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
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Transcripts, grammars, vocabularies, dictionaries, glyph studies, botanical studies, commentaries, articles, editions of codices, correspondence, maps, charts, drawings, photographs, Maya Society materials, genealogies of Maya families, and Mayan glyphs on moveable type.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Origins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/origins. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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